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There is increasing interest in the potential for mediation to resolve Investor-State disputes. Following the success of the joint training for investor-State mediators (running since 2017), the International Energy Charter, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) have jointly designed a workshop specifically focused on the State representative’s role in an investor-State mediation and /or solving investors...

The members of the Industry Advisory Panel (IAP), the expert consultative body to the Energy Charter Conference, welcome the progress and outcomes of the Fourth Negotiation Round on the Modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). The IAP remains conscious and aware of the value of Energy Charter Treaty, while fully supports the modernisation process. 

On Monday 29 March 2021 the Energy Charter Secretariat participated in the European Union Visitors Programme (EUVP). The programme aims to offer visiting experts from a range of targeted countries access to first-hand information about the EU, including its founding values, the way if functions, as well as some of its core activities, policies and perspectives.

"Today we have much experience of the Treaty's application that can predominantly facilitate the implementation of the UK's four goals for COP26" wrote Dr  Rusnák in his letter to Prime Minister Johnson and COP26 President Sharma. In his proposal, the Secretary General explained that over the last 23 years, the ECT has efficiently fulfilled its functions related to the facilitation and protection of energy-related foreign investments, access to technology and capital.

The Energy Charter Secretariat congratulates Mr Ilkhom Nimatullaev on the successful completion of his secondment programme. Despite the restrictions and general uncertainties dictated by the COVID-19 situation, Mr Nimatullayev has successfully completed all planned activities and provided invaluable input to the development of the Draft In-Depth Energy Efficiency Review of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Secretariat wishes Mr Nimatullayev a safe return to his home country and energy,...

On 19 March 2021, the Secretariat contributed to the knowledge exchange workshop “Governing the Energy Transition” that brought together academia, experts and policymakers. The initial workshop was planned to be organized as a joint event by the Energy Charter Secretariat and the King’s College in Brussels back in 2020, but due to pandemics, the event took place virtually. The goal of the workshop was to share and exchange new ideas on the legal framework of Energy Transition. The Secretariat...

The Secretariat has been invited to contribute to the annual day of international law in Africa organised by the African Academy for International Law Practice and law firm GIDE Loyrette Nouel. The main topic of the colloquium was the challenges of the environmental law in Africa, while the Secretariat was invited to intervene in the Panel focused on the legal framework for achieving objectives of sustainable development. 

From 2-5 March 2021, the Fourth Negotiation Round on the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) was held by videoconference¹. All parties present engaged in fruitful discussions on all topics covered.

Upon the invitation of HE Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, Secretary-General Dr Urban Rusnak, participated today at the virtual summit of the ECO. Leaders of ten ECO member states focused their attention on the Regional Economic Cooperation in the Aftermath of the COVID-19.

On 23 February 2021, during a working meeting of the Armenian Chairmanship 2021 and the Energy Charter Secretariat HE Ms Anna Aghadjanian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia, was updated by Dr Urban Rusnák, the Secretary-General of the International Energy Charter on implementation of the Program of Work priorities and other current issues. In the light of the upcoming round of negotiation of the Energy Charter Treaty modernisation Secretary-General Rusnák...

The Energy Charter Secretariat and ICSID are pleased to announce that they have entered into an Agreement on General Arrangements. The agreement was signed on behalf of ECS by Urban Rusnák, Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat, and on behalf of ICSID by Meg Kinnear, Secretary-General of ICSID .

On 16 December 2020, Dr Urban Rusnák, the Secretary-General of the International Energy Charter met with the delegation of high-level officials of the Republic of Armenia led by HE Mr Ara Aivazian, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr Hakob Vardanyan, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and HE Ms Anna Aghadjanian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Kingdom of Belgium participated in the meeting. 

The parties addressed the...

On 21 December 2020, the International Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) held its 44^th Session. The event, which took place virtually through Zoom, was hosted by SOCAR and was attended by the Panel members, representatives of energy companies and associations.

The meeting participants were welcomed by Dr Urban Rusnák, the Secretary-General of the International Energy Charter, Murad Heydarov, Advisor to SOCAR President and CEO of SOCAR Balkans, and Rafael Cayuela,  IAP Chair and...

At the Ministerial Session of the 31st Meeting of the Energy Charter Conference, the Vice-Chair has delivered the Energy Charter Award for 2020.  Ms Carmen Sofía Sanz Estébanez was voted this year to be the recipient of the Award. Ms Sanz Estébanez is currently working as the Head of Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Environment at the Ministry of Ecological Transition in Madrid. Ms Sanz Estébanez has been the personality inseparable from the Energy Charter Process since 2012 when she was...